The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-06-01
h MARTINS SUBDIVISION
GILCHRIST g. MARTIN.

show something of WON an g power. Through
the cnuntess ages there has been and will
ever bs one character in every age which
shines supreme. In history, poetry, art,
fiction and oratory, our spirit scars above
fellows and leads inlo regions where they
cannot OtfollOw; he builds up waste places and
plans good for bis fellow beings. be is iull
of his purpose in life aud goes 70 work with
determination and energy; When he has
scent his lie in the arduous task then the
world rs ready to accord him his ju st me ed
and, perhaps, worship him as hero. But
to won an Is oftsn due the succ So OF man
She has undenied power, and man &C.
knowledges her worth and Influence.
Moman's iirst and greatest power is in her
home. There ls she not only most loved,
but most admired, aud there should she be
content to reign in the be .rts those around
h,r. In the outside world wOman's power is
'elt in every land ond in eve'y grade Of
society. Even in the lighter and CAV, r
circles all would he dark and dreary if it
were not tor woman. lie. friends ard ad-
and treasure her every word Life is made
up of trifes, and what we sometimes est
mate as trifes in Tho end prove OF much
va)ue. The womsn that knows and reallEes
the power of nothing, has the greatest power
of all. What can he nObler for a woman than
to know that within her bands she holds
the destiny OF nations, and that she can use
her influence for the good of any land?
Nothing can make woman greater than
the power she now Commands" Tho coun-
try's b ,llot is not the only power 10 WELD.
Grant that woman by hsr superior talents
and great energy has won the right of suf
frage, yet she will never accomplish at the
polls the good she otberwi,e might do. The
fact has been demonstrated that woman is in
her own sphere at home. Tuera she sways a
sceptre that is all powerful, cherit he'd, be .
loved and mighty. But whom she is indu ed
to leave his queenly throne and mingle in
moro than she gains" Therefor to all my
classmates would say:
'Better be an Inspiration, play the heart
strings Of some soul,
Than to blow Fame's silver bugle, tn ough
thro' continents ii roll;
Be ter be useful fragme than damaged,
useless whole.
Better be be lIbd the curtain, and to fesl
yourself a.queen,
Than to lose the power of ruling. though
with sceptre you are seen;
Better be u queenlv woman, than unwoman-
ly, a queen"
We have two striking examples of woman's
power. exerted in opposite directions, and
for objec S totally different. in the chars cters
Of Queen Catherine dc Medici and Queen
hut ho- different their aims in life and their
methods OF accomplishing their -puI poses.
In tho character of Catherine de Medici
principle was wholly l6czing She exerted
but. unfortunately, it was not for good Her
chief am aad ambition was the possession
OF plwer, and she at last obtained it. Her
influence over her son, Charles 1A, was SO
great that she prevailed on hin to give the
orders fot the fatal massacre of st Bar
thClomew, an eveut which greatly in creased
her power, and of which che boasted. { he
spent her whole life in devising wickedness
and in exciting evil passions. But she died
0qh'Sasa Of %sq, she fhS bHa a4SU STSS 'tsi ani
her death was. lanented by none;
In great contrast Is seen the character of
the Queen of England. From the day Of nor
acre sion Queen Victoria has enjoyed to the
her subjects. She has enlightened them,
hettered their condition. and today is at tn,
head of a government upon Whose dominions
tho sun never sets. She has tho respect of
will unite with her subjects in paving hom-
age to her on the, fttieth anniversary of her
accession to the throne. Such is the power
OF woman for good or evil. But what /. the
reason or secret of woman's power? Prob
ably the primary reason is in the simple fact
OF her being a woman. Her patience, gem
tleness, amiability and kindred attributes
al appeal 10 the sterner qualities Of man.
He expects only the gentler characteristics
In her, and feels himself insensibly drawn
whom he comes in contact.
since, then, woman pO. sesses such great
power, now areful should she be in the eX-
ercise Of it; with yhat discretion shnu d she
actl Woman is oft called an angel"
but she is capable OF doing more good as a
woman than she could ever accomplish as I'M
angel; for
." Tis not angels we are wanting on this
busy, restless earth,
1t is nob'e, ca nest women. who prize well
the right of birth;
Women who are looking upward, knowing
we'll what life is worth:
Even though their lives be hidden, Just con-
tent to work away,
Till the last great task is ended, till the
dawniDR of the day;
Knowing il shall stand exalted when God
lifts the veil awayl"
At it's conclusion chs was rewarded
with enthusiastic and prolonged sp.
plause, end four beautiful floral trib-
utes. Bo wing the thanks which 1860
from her heart and shone from her
smiling face, quiet was restored, and
Miss Lorens Foster commanded atten-
ton by appearing in front and recit-
ing, in firm and confident tones, "Be a
Woman" ''Hail! Happy Day." a
sprightly chorus came as a relief to
the elocutiouary efforts, and displayed
unmistskables evidences tf the su.
perior voices and faitt fnl t,aining of
the class. Then followed recitations
by Miss Eleanor Weber, "KiDg's
and Miss Lssh L-eb,
"Fourth of July in Jonesyville." Both
the young ladies were warmly appre-
ciated, and suitably rewarded for their
efforts. The latter, departing from the
customary line OF deep and solid men,
tai food, gave highly humorous inter-
pretslion of the selection, and had to
acknowledge the universal maniienta-
ton of satisfaction.
The orchestra then rendered pleas
ing selection, after which Miss Lslia
Eaton read, in composed and self
possessed manner, an cray entitled
June" 1t was beautiful tribute 10
the month OF flowtrs, sunshine and
commencsments, closing with fer
vent desire thetat the close Of life she |
and her classmates would find an eter-
nsl homo in land whers it was ever
June. Following her, Miss CoYnelia
Lsvy recited "Tfe Teachers Dream"
with fine effect and great credit.
Spring joys" chorus, wss quickly |
on. n 1